An important component of the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center is offering health education to our seniors. We want to provide our members with information to help them live safe and healthy lives at home, as long as possible.

Last week, we had a terrific speaker from the Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults (JSPOA) present on Sexuality and Aging. The speaker, who’s an RN and a senior herself, helped our members get comfortable with the topic while educating them. She spoke about living a healthy, sexually active life regardless of…

Art therapy has such a positive effect on our seniors and we see the benefits every day. It gives many a way to express themselves and for others, it unleashes new talents. Some of our seniors have never had the time or opportunity; while others may have been intimidated to try. At the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center (www.vnsnychoice.org), the seniors feel comfortable trying something new–and the results have been amazing.

Our Activities Coordinator is an art therapist and through her encouragement and creativity, art has flourished at the Center. Our seniors create beautiful artwork…

Last Friday, everyone was on alert for the impending snow storm. We weren’t sure how many seniors would attend the Day Center, but we opened for those who wanted to come. We had early dismissal to get everyone home safely before the storm arrived, even though they didn’t want to stop activities!

I was simply amazed at how many seniors showed up on Friday!

Ms. N. told me that, although her daughter wanted her to stay home, she said, “I’m going to the Center – it’s my second home and I’m not missing…

The VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center is lucky to have a fantastic group of volunteers that help us serve our members! Volunteers come to us from all walks of life, ages (12 – 80 years old) and cultural backgrounds. They have a wide variety of talents and skills to share with our members, including pet therapy, art, music and computers. Most importantly, they bring companionship and compassion to support our members.

I recently read a quote from President Woodrow Wilson that moved me and really described our volunteers: “You are not here to…

The Girl Scouts Troop 1986 is working hard on their 2013 intergenerational project at the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center. The goal of this year’s initiative is to create nutrition-related in home activity kits for an underserved community in Westchester. Some bags will go to VNSNY CHOICE Westchester and others may go to a Meals on Wheels Program in Mt. Vernon.

A few months ago, Troop 1986 Heart of the Hudson, came to the Center to introduce the project. The Girl Scouts gave a cooking demonstration and led a discussion group…

At the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center in Woodside, Queens, we’re excited that we have begun offering computer classes to VNSNY CHOICE members! Our Activities Coordinator, Michele, has been working hard to recruit and train volunteers and staff to lead this new effort.

Members are learning about the internet and how to find music, Skype, news, fashion and videos. They are practicing how to use a mouse by playing simple match games and solitaire. On the tablets, they’re playing word games, match games, Family Feud, The Price Is Right and tuning into radio…

So many in our area were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Our seniors at the Day Center were grateful that they didn’t suffer any significant damage, and they wanted to help those who were affected by the super storm. Finding a way to help was the challenge, since most of them don’t have extra income or food to donate and their mobility is limited, affecting their ability to volunteer.

VNSNY serves many areas affected by the storm. Michele, our Activity Coordinator, worked with the VNSNY Volunteer Department to connect with VNSNY programs serving people in…

2012 was a great year for the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center! Filled with activities, laughter, love and compassion, our members and staff once again demonstrated what a special haven our center has become.

What do our members hope for in 2013? Here are some of their thoughts…

Stay healthy with the help of VNSNY CHOICE!

Eat the right foods

Laugh more

Exercise

Walk in the light

Make new friends

Be honest

Live peacefully among everyone

Love myself so I can love others

Loving everyone helped me make it to 92 years old – I’ll keep doing what I’m doing!

Our Adult Day Center is so lucky to have an exceptional group of home health aides caring for our seniors. Our aides come from Partners in Care, a part of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York that’s been providing home care professionals since 1983. Partners in Care has been a dedicated, outstanding partner to the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center since we opened in 2000. Many of our aides have been here for more than 10 years, and the care and compassion they provide is second to none. For the…

The holidays are a busy time of year, and for family caregivers, there’s even more to juggle. While it’s a wonderful time of year to connect with loved ones, for caregivers of people with dementia, it can be especially challenging. With some planning, the holidays can be more manageable and enjoyable for everyone.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org) offers tips for caregivers to help navigate the holiday season. See below for helpful suggestions: